Over the coming days and until the voting period in Spain closes on February 5th, esctoday.com will be presenting you the candidates wishing to represent their country next May in Oslo. A short bio of them, as well as their songs and links to vote for them on the RTVE official website will be provided. Today, we invite you to know a little more about Ainhoa Cantalapiedra, Arkaitz, Coral Segovia, Erica Magdaleno, Isi, José Galisteo, Lydia Fairén, Carola & Alfredo, Shelamay and Venus.
Ainhoa Cantalapiedra – Volveré (I'll be back)
Ainhoa is well-known to the Spanish public as she participated at the second series of the popular talent show Operación Triunfo, back in 2002-2003. She went on to win the show and thus entered the competition to decide who would represent Spain at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest. Ainhoa's bid consisted of two songs: Mi razón de vivir y Viva la noche. She did not manage to win, and in the end, Beth with Dime flew the Spanish flag in Riga. So far, she has released three albums: Esencia natural, Mi tiempo roto and Imperfecta.
You can vote for Ainhoa Cantalapiedra here .
Arkaitz – Ángel caído (Fallen angel)
Arkaitz, despite his young age, is already a veteran in the Spanish national selections for Eurovision. His first bid was back in 2007, when he presented the song Báilame at Misión Eurovisión. In 2008 he tried again with Un olé, becoming a finalist at that year's selection process Salvemos Eurovisión. Last year he applied with The dance of fire. Will this time be the lucky one for Arkaitz?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqL_4KsV5jU
You can vote for Arkaitz here .
Carola & Alfredo – Renacer (Rebirth)
Carola, also known as Carola Terror Drag, took part in the 2008 and 2009 Spanish selections for Eurovision with the songs Dime la verdad and Sin amor eterno, respectively. Now, she is back together with Alfredo Esquivel singing Renacer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GM8x56dFZo
You can vote for Carola & Alfredo here .
Coral Segovia – En una vida (In a lifetime)
One of the hot favourites to represent Spain this year in Oslo is Coral Segovia, who is already a well-known face to eurofans both in Spain and abroad. She already tried to represent her country in 2008 with the song Todo está en tu mente, but lost the national final to Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, who went on to represent Spain in Belgrade. Coral also won the 2005 Benidorm International Festival with the song Maldito corazón.
You can vote for Coral Segovia here .
Erica Magdaleno – Revolución (Revolution)
Erica is not an outsider to the Spanish Eurovision preselections either. 2010 marks the third attempt of this Galician artist, trying to represent Spain with the song Revolución. Erica tried her luck both in 2008 and 2009 with the songs Perdido está el paraíso and Hasta el final, respectively. Will be third time lucky for Erica?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XefCQoKgLew
You can vote for Erica Magdaleno here .
Isi – Amor sin veneno (Poisonless love)
Isi became one of last year's sensations at the Spanish national final of Eurovisión 2009: El Retorno. The Canarian singer came equal fifth back then with the song Ahora no. Isi is now back with Amor sin veneno.
You can vote for Isi here .
José Galisteo – Beautiful life
This guy from Barcelona became popular thanks to his participation at Operación Triunfo 2006. After taking part in the talent competition, José kicked off his career as a soloist, releasing his debut album Remember, which features new versions of worldwide hits. His second CD, Luces y sombras, came in 2009. José is now all set to represent Spain with the dance entry Beautiful life.
You can vote for José Galisteo here .
Lydia Fairén – Hawa
Lydia's first appearance on television was back in 2004 at the Spanish selection for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Eurojunior, when she reached the final stages of the competition, won by María Isabel with the song Antes muerta que sencilla. Lydia continued developing her music career and at the sime time she started acting. She played a part in High School Musical, and a year later at the tv series 18, on Antena 3. In March she will debut on the big screen as she is one of the stars in the film El diario de Carlota.
You can vote for Lydia Fairén here .
Shelamay – Princesa del mar (Princess of the sea)
Shelamay participated at the 2008 Spanish selection with a song entitled Esencias. In 2009 he tried for the second time with Llanto por la paz. She is now set to come back to the Spanish Eurovision selection with Princesa del mar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU8igpOJ5a4
You can vote for Shelamay here .
Venus – Perfecta (Perfect)
Venus is a trio made up by three girls already known to the Spanish public. Two of its members participated at the talent show Operación Triunfo: Mimi (Miriam Segura) participated at the 2008 running of the show, where she came 6th, whilst Diana Tobar took part at the 2009 edition. Marta Mansilla first appeared on tv screens back in 2002, when she became one of the hopefuls at the show Popstars, after which she went on joining the group Bellepop.
You can vote for Venus here .